Outrage over kitten slain with arrow

Police are hunting an offender who shot dead a cat with a homemade arrow at Mount Gambier.

South Australian police were called to a house in Gordon Street on Tuesday night after the owner found his six-month-old kitten with an arrow in its rear hip.

It was taken to a veterinarian but died.

Pet owner Brad Allen, who has a number of animals in his enclosed backyard, said he went outside after hearing some noise.

"We were inside and we just heard a bit of a commotion outside so we went out to investigate," he said.

"We saw the other animals but one was missing, then we eventually found him hiding with an arrow sticking out of it.

"The kids are upset, it's a pretty low act with no reason for it."

Superintendent Trevor Twilley said it was a cruel crime, which had shocked locals.

"One would have to think it may have been for joy or for kicks which is generally the circumstances surrounding it, so it does question the mentality of the people that are doing this and I hope that the community will get on board and identify who is responsible," he said.